New Bicyclists Tips

If you are new to bicycling, these helpful tips will ensure that your bicycle adventures get off to the right start.
Several early bicycling mistakes are addressed below along
with their suggested corrections.

New Bicyclists Fact and Fiction

Riding with the seat too low

Fiction: A low seat gives you the ability to put both feet on the ground, which makes you safer.
Fact: A seat this low is too low. It stresses your knees, can cause injury, inhibits proper balance and reduces your power.
Correction: Raise your seat until when the balls of your feet are over the center of the pedals and the pedal is at the bottom of the stroke, you have a slight bent in your knee (illustration). You should be able to just touch the ground with your tip-toes.

Being afraid to use your front break

Fiction: If you use your front brake, You'll go sailing over the handlebars.
Fact: Because it's the more powerful brake, it IS possible to "endo" (illustration) if you apply it too hard or at the wrong time, however, not using your front brake drastically reduces your stopping power. So, you should use it a lot.
Correction: It's best to always use both brakes. Yet, there are times, such as on steep
downhill's, when your front brake accounts for up to 90% of your stopping power and determines how much control you have. So it's important to practice and get good using it. An important tip is to shift your body rearward as you brake harder in front.

Riding in a T-Shirt

Fiction: Cotton T-shirts are better to
wear than trendy bright-colored jerseys, and they are
less expensive.Fact: Cotton is a
great material to lounge around in. Once you start
really riding, however, cotton holds onto every drop of
perspiration leaving you soaked. Plus if the weather
changes from warm and sunny to chilly, that wet tee will
feel awful and could even cause chills and hypothermia.Correction:
There's a reason cyclists wear what they do. Unlike tee
shirts, jerseys feature wicking fabrics that actually
keep you dry, warm and stink-free. Plus, they catch less
air so it's easier to ride, and they often have built-in
pockets for your identification, cash and energy food.
You can also stuff a jacket in a pocket for use should
the weather changes.

Over lubing your drivetrain

Fiction: The more lube you put on the
chain, the better your bike will run. Fact:
Excess lube quickly collects dust and dirt accelerating
drivetrain wear. Plus, that grimy chain leaves
hard-to-remove chain marks on your arms, legs and car. Correction:
Lube your chain anytime the links begin to appear shiny
and dry (squeaking is a sure sign that you've waited too
long for lube). Let the lube sit for a few minutes and
then wipe off the excess with a rag.

Ignoring mechanical issues

Fiction: Your bike may seem a little
loose up front (or plug in your particular problem), but
you want to ride, not take your bike in to get it
checked! You'll just keep riding. Fact:
Bicycles are relatively simple machines, however, they
can travel as fast as cars and you can get in trouble
quick if something serious is wrong with your bike and
you neglect it. Correction: Ride by
a local bicycle shop and have them take a look. They
won't charge to do this and it could save you the costs
of a more serious repair, or more importantly, prevent a
dangerous crash. For example, in the case of that loose
front end, it could save you a ruined frame and a loss
of control on a downhill leading to a bad fall.